Hi world! This is my new story. For the ones who got to it through A Tale of Two Pirtaes, I'm really glad you chose to stay with me. And for the ones who are... New to my writing, I have to tell you that english is not my native language, so you'll have to be nice and merciful with me ;)
I'm rating this one M, just to be on the safe side. Nothing explicit, really.
I hope you'll like this one!
"She's said to be quite amazing." Told the young soldier to his friends.
Prince Killian laughed loudly at his guard's words as he suddenly appeared from behind them. "Sounds like quite the night you're planning on having when we get there, lad."
A deep shade of red suddenly covered the young man's cheeks and ears. He was, what, seventeen, eighteen? Killian knew that he was lying about his age, for the boyish behavior contradicted the way he solemnly swore he was twenty-two years old. But he also knew that he had a sick mother and three little sisters at home to feed, so he didn't say a thing to his adoptive parents, Queen Abigail and King Frederick.
"It's not like that, your highness." He mumbled.
Killian flinched at the title. He didn't have a single drop of royal blood running in his veins. It was the King and Queen's kindness, mercy and unfortunate lack of ability to have children of their own that brought him to the position of the only heir to the throne. He was found at the southeren port of their kingdom, holding his brother's dead body in his little, weak arms after he got stabbed in a fight the previous night, completely alone in the world at the age of twelve. He loved them very much and was so greatful it sometimes caused an actual pain in his chest when he thought about it, but he never felt worthy of the throne. Of the kingdom, really, even though he was loved by the people, thanks to his undeniable charisma and good looks.
"Tell me what it is like, then," he asked, half teasing, half curious.
"Um, there is a, um, woman in this town we're about to stay in for the next week. Or at least so I've been told by- um-" mumbled the boy.
"Well, get to it, lad," he smirked playfully at the squirming, slim boy.
"She is said to be extremely skilled with the sword, your majesty. No man has ever been able to defeat her in a duel. People pay money to watch her fight. She's said to be one of the most beautiful women in all the land, and um- sometimes she chalenges men to name the prize they want if they can beat her. Most of them ask for, um-"
"A night in the lady's bed, that I am sure." chuckled the prince. The rest of the guards laughed. The lad, Evans, nodded, his face still in a bright shade of red.
"Aye, but none had succeeded."
"And you plan on trying to win a night with the lady?" Killian grinned widely. Evans blushed even more. He knew it was mean to taunt the lad but he couldn't stop himself. It was too amusing.
"I plan to ask her to teach me how to master the sword as a prize."
The knights bursted out laughing. One of them even began to tear up.
"How incredibly innocent of you, lad." Smirked the prince at his shy smile. "Yet if she is indeed as skilled as she is told to be she would make a great master."
"Are you going to try her, your highness?" asked one of the knights.
"Perhaps, perhaps." grinned the prince, amused at the idea. "We'll see. We should continue riding if we wish to get there before dusk."
A general hum of approval came from his men and they climbed their horses and began to ride towards the small town on the borderline between the united kingdoms of King George and Queen Regina and the kingdom of his parents.
-xxx-
They got to the quiet little town in the early afternoon.
"Bathe and rest, lads." Ordered the prince as the got to a tavern. "Tomorrow we are to begin with the tax collection."
He hated this time of the year. He hated collecting taxes. He hated it. On the bright side, it was almost over, and he would get to see the lass fighting, which should be quite entertaining.
"Your higness," adressed him one of his knights, a man in his mid-fourties called Williams. Christopher Williams if he remembered correctly. "It is a five days jorney back home. You should rest as well."
"Thank you for your concern, Williams." He said sincerely. "But I think I would stay here just a while longer." Williams bowed lightly and marched up the stairs of the inn.
When he turned around he noticed a blonde woman who was looking at him shamelessly. Instead of looking away when their gazes crossed as he expected, she smiled as if she was only waiting for him to notice, and a playful shimmer was dancing in her grayish-green eyes.
He liked her already. Not to mantion she was one of the most beautiful women he have ever had the pleasure to see, even if she was dressed with rags.
He looked down for one brief second, and when his eyes searched the crowd to find her again, he couldn't.
But he would.
-xxx-
Later this evening, he met Evans on his way out of the inn.
"Going to see your lady?" he teased.
"I am, actually, you highness. Even though I'd be a lucky man to call someone like her my lady, if the stories are true."
"Would you mind if I came along?" asked the prince, and the lad's jaw dropped in surprise.
"Well, of course, I- I'd be.." He stumbled upon his own words.
"Let's go then, shall we?" Killian suggested, gesturing at the door which led to the street.
As they walked down the cold, torch lit street, Killian noticed that Evans was respecfully letting him lead the way, always staying a few steps behind him even though he was the only one who actually knew where were they going.
"Do you know the adress?" asked Killian.
"That I do, your highness."
"Lead the way, then, lad, because I have no bloody idea where am I going."
"Oh," blushed Evans. The prince suddenly wondered how exactly he expected him to believe that he was a fully grown man. He was most certainly a boy, and a shy one, too. Brave, but shy.
When they finally arrived, they were nearly too late. "You got here just on time," declared the owner of the show, a small man with a face that reminded Killian of a rat. "She's most certainly a vision. Only twenty four years old and with the heart of a lioness and the skill of the finest knight in any king's army. She's worth your while," He dipped his short fingers in the small bag of coins he just earned greedily. "and your money. Enjoy it. She's in a good mood today, maybe she'll even let some of you chalenge her."
The prince and the guard exchanged a look. Killian had half a smile streching his lips.
When they got inside the building, they found a crumbling wooden stage in the middle of a small hall. Around it gathred about two dozens of people, mostly men, that seemed extremely curious. Killian could see Evans had finally noticed his causual attire, that implied nothing about his royal origins. He had every intention of fighting this woman, and if she was to win, he couldn't have his reputation stained.
He gasped silently as the said woman stepped onto the stage, presented her sword and bowed gracefully.
It was the girl from the tavern.
Only now she was wearing a tight leather shirt with a generous cleavage which gave access to a very impressive view of her breasts and a short skirt that exposed her long legs. She seemed to notice him suddenly, and flashed him a dazzling smile as she recognized him immediatly from earlier.
He definitally liked her.
When a man twice her size came up to the stage after her, she smiled like a wild cat and pounced at him in a fitting manner. Jaws dropped as she spun and dodged and finally pointed her blade to the man's thick neck, making him gasp and drop the sword. She bowed again and tucked a locke of golder hair behind her ear, smiling at the clapping crowd.
"Now, after the little demonstration, let's move to the fun part, shall we?" her bright eyes searched the crowd. "Who would like to fight me?"
"I would," called Evans. She smiled at him.
"What's your name, boy?" She asked as she helped him up the stage.
"Thomas Evans, my lady." he said as she handed him a sword.
"Well then, Thomas, would you like to name your prize now or when you win the battle?"
"I would like you to teach me how to improve my skill with the sword."
She laughed in surprise. "Such a special request," She grinned widely. "Even though I do believe that if you do win, there will be nothing left for me to teach you."
"I think that if I beat you it will be mostly by luck, my lady."
She laughed again. "Well, Thomas, shall we?"
"I'd be honored, my lady."
It didn't take long for her to pin him fo the floor with her blade, though he did fight well, Killian had to admit.
"I like you, boy." She smiled brightly. She helped him up and kissed his cheek .
He was completely dizzy when he got off the stage.
"Anyone else?" She asked. Killian looked up at her to find her looking straight at him and smiling. "How about you, from the tavern earlier?"
He grinned flirtatiously to mirror her and got up to the stage.
"I understand you don't want people to know the prince got beaten by a woman," She whispered, her breath warm on his ear. "I respect that. Reputaion is everything these days, right?"
He grinned at her. "Perceptive lass, aren't you?"
"So I've been told."
"Name your prize, sailor." She winked at him. He smiled, trying as hard as he could to keep it together.
"I'd rather tell you later, love."
"Ooh, confident. I like it."
"Let's begin. We wouldn't want to keep these good people waiting."
When their swords clashed, he could see a huge grin starting to spread across her face. "You're good," she breathed out.
"So I've been told." He said, enjoying the sight of her, all catlike and graceful.
Long minutes passed before she mannged to nail him to the wooden stage with her knees and blade, to the sound of the cheering people. "You're really good," She whispered. "This is the longest anyone survived ever since I got here."
"You are most definitally one of the most impressive women I've ever had the pleasure to meet." He pointed out. "Even though I could think of some more enjoyable activities with a beautiful woman like you on top of me,"
She chuckled. "Hmm, do you now? Maybe if you'll find me later we could try them."
He gulped, making her laugh as she rolled off of him and got up.
"This is it for tonight." She declared once he got off the stage.
He did find her later that night.
And they did try some of the activities he mentioned.
When she was lying next to him, sleepy and beautiful, he suddenly remembered what was he going to ask her as a prize.
"I'd like you to join me as my guard, love."
She propped herself up on one elbow to look at him. "I cant leave my boss. My owner, actually. He's giving me food and a place to stay ever since my par-" she abruptly stopped herself. "Ever since I was sixteen. I'd have nowhere to live if I did."
"I'd take care of you, Emma." He promised. He liked her name. He had just learnt it a few hours earlier. Her eyes were softened in the dim light of her room.
"Really?" she whispered.
"Aye, love. Whatever you'll need."
"When do we leave, then?"
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